Balderson United Church

07/05/2023

Good Morning everyone on this 5th of July
You know I have to say it: “Hot enough for you!” Please take it easy everyone.

Let’s see what I can keep you up to date with this week.
The doors at St. Andrew’s will be thrown open by (I’m going out on a limb saying) Grant & Gail McFarlane. I’m saying this because the calendar says Ruth, but Ruth shook my hand last Sunday morning, so perhaps they switched!
Note that this Sunday begins at 9am. Come as you are! Charlotte Hoy will lead us in worship.

The Committee of Stewards would like, once again, to thank Norma Blair for her 35 years of dedicated service in caring and cleaning of our Church. Norma retired from her position on June 30th.
After posting for a replacement to succeed Norma in this role, the Committee of Stewards is pleased to announce that Jeremiah North was selected to assume the caretaking role at St. Andrew's, as of July 1st.
Jeremiah cleans the facilities for the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry and also performs cleaning duties at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lanark. We were fortunate to have Jeremiah shadow Norma for the last week of her caretaking duties with St. Andrew's to help orient Jeremiah to the role.
On behalf of my fellow Committee of Stewards members, please join us in welcoming Jeremiah in his new role at St. Andrew's United Church - welcome, Jeremiah!

Rev Bruce North hosted their first Mississippi Freedom fest Gospel Concert Series last Sunday. Their next one is Aug 6th from 4-8pm. This is on Gordon Headrick’s farm. It will be held rain or shine. There will be food, children’s ministry and most important port a potties.

Elmwood Cemetery is having a Memorial Service on July 9th at 2pm. Bring a lawn chair.

Next Lanark Community Dinner is Monday July 10th, 4-6 p.m.! Join us at Lanark Civitan to enjoy a free home cooked meal.
Did you know our free community dinners have a gluten free and vegetarian option? gZcCKhaAIxmq4nek.png Wheelchair accessible

You heard it here first. Plans are in motion for the Annual Fiddle Service here at St. Andrew’s. That is on July 30th, at 11am. More info to follow.
After the Fiddle Service you may be interested that the Watsons Corners Cemetery Service will take place at 2:30, July 30th.

Did you know: The Food Pantry that is located in the basement of St. Andrew’s church has been doing a lot of changing and up dating. This necessary service is the only one in Lanark County that is run completely on volunteers. There is 0$ overhead! On behalf of everyone at Lanark/Balderson I would like to say thank you and remind everyone of this worthy cause when you are looking to donate.

Prayers for Collins Evans, Edythe Moulton and Brian Brophy would be appreciated this coming week.
Our sympathy and prayers are given to Darleen Sargeant on the death of Raymond Storie. His wake takes place at Blair & Son Funeral Home, Thursday July 6th, 2023 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral service will be held in St. Andrews United Church, Lanark Friday July 7th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Interment, Pinehurst Cemetery, Playfairville. A reception will follow at Lanark Legion Branch 395.
We also pass on our sympathies to Linda McFadden on the loss of her daughter, Arlene Nagle.



HMMMMM: All the mistakes I’ve made have been because I’ve ‘assumed’ something and then acted as though it were fact!

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of many, to remember some of the great things that took place during my time at Balderson. (Which has only been for about the last 12 years, I was still a newbie!)

I am not putting names to anything. I just hope it brings a smile to some faces and brings pleasant memories. That’s what we need to think of when we remember Balderson. If anyone has any ‘positive’ memories or stories that they would like to share, let the office know and perhaps we could write them throughout the summer.

What happened at Balderson:

There was plenty of decorations, special music, bible studies, outreach and Food Pantry collections.

People were compassionate with their bible readings, greetings, visits with people, with Lenten reflections and the creation of prayer shawls.

There were suppers of turkey, beef, strawberries, pies, pot lucks. We also had cups and cups of coffee, tea, juice and the snacks that went along with them. Yummy

People sang their hearts out in the choir together and solos.

Wonderful Sunday School teachers who taught for years and helped create Christmas Pageants. Who gave so much that our youth would make the choice to get confirmed.

We got to say hello to so many beautiful babies and good bye to so many beautiful soles.

The picnics and the card and music parties and the many many numbers of anniversary celebrations.

People who did landscaping and built things. There were contractors who gave of their time and building materials.

Our neighbours both close and far who even though they may not have been in the seats every Sunday, they were thought of.

Let’s not forget the folks that absolutely loved annual report time and doing their many written reports. And if that wasn’t enough the folks that gave their time for meetings and sat on committees. They’re a pain, but oh so necessary to keep a church going.

Thank you never seems enough, but I send out a heartfelt thank you to those who did participate in any of these.



When I reread this a week later, I can’t help but add that all of these points are also true for the congregation of St. Andrew’s and if you are one of the congregants that has chosen to continue your spiritual journey with St. Andrew’s we will probably be fortunate to have many more times that we are thankful for.

Remember:

About 15 people in this world love you in some sort of way.

A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t know you.

Every night someone thinks about you before they go to sleep.

You mean the world to someone.

Have faith that sooner or later you will get what you wish for or something better.

You are special and unique.

When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a hard look, you most likely turned your back on the world and the people who love and care for you.

Someone that you don’t even know, thinks about you

Always remember the compliments you received and forget the rude remarks.

If you get the chance, tell someone how you feel about them, you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy.

If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Taking time for people creates a better world.

(Sorry can’t remember where I gathered this from)





I once again turn to words of Rev Stan Errett to end my message.

Don’t go looking for God

He is already in your eyes and your seeing

Be still and recognize His presence and His gift of power

Don’t fret about hearing His word to you

He has been speaking to you from the day you were born

You have forgotten to remember

Be still so that you can hear his gentle voice

And

Don’t search for God

He has already found you

Be still and enjoy His company

He will help you keep your balance

As you embrace the messiness of Life

And bring order out of chaos.



Thanks for listening

Patti

06/28/2023

Message for June 28th, 2023- Good morning

Thought for the Day: Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and start again.

This Sunday’s service will be led by Norma Wrightly at St. Andrews beginning at 11:00 am. Grant & Gail McFarlane will greet you at the door.
July 2, 2023 – 4pm – 8pm - Mississippi Freedom Fest Gospel Concert series with Vocal Legacy, the Manson Family and Bonnie Wallace playing. Admission is free. Held at 2400 Hwy 511, Lanark, Ont. Hamburg’s & hotdogs sold on site. Bring a lawn chair as everyone is welcome
July 9th – 2pm - Elmwood Cemetary Service
Prayers for Collins Evans, Edythe Moulton and Brian Brophy would be appreciated this coming week.
Mandy Hale once wrote “Sometimes you have to experience what you don’t want in life to come to a full understanding of what you do want.” This may be true as last Sunday the Balderson Church was packed with parishioners who all were saying it was sad to see the church close its doors. We were all experiencing what we didn’t want. So, what is it we do want? What are we searching for? What will make our lives more enriched? It seems no one wants to take an hour out of their day to go to church. What is your understanding of what you want if you have no higher power to guide you. Where can you lay your burdens down if the human race doesn’t want to listen. Where can you take your troubles if people don’t care? Do people actually pray anymore? What is life if we don’t have faith – faith that things will get better and faith that there is a room of many mansions prepared for us when we go. So, look for something positive in every day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.
“Eternal God our Father: Help us to make the right choices as we go through life that, walking ever in the light of your presence, we may advance and grow in knowledge and love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Finally: At the end of the day, we’re all human beans. Together we will rice. Now lettuce pray. Ramen.
Rosetta

06/25/2023

Such a big turnout!! Service starts at 11!

06/22/2023

Message for June 21st, 2023

Thought for the Day: Your struggle is your strength. If you can resist becoming negative, bitter or hopeless, in time, your struggles will give you everything.

Let’s see what’s happening:

The final service at Balderson United Church will be held this Sunday, June 25th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.

July 2, 2023 – 4pm – 8pm - Mississippi Freedom Fest Gospel Concert series with Vocal Legacy playing. Admission is free. Held at 2400 Hwy 511, Lanark, Ont. Hamburg’s & hotdogs sold on site. Bring a lawn chair
It is with a heavy heart that I will attend the last service at Balderson this Sunday. Thirty years have been spent at that church. I am trying not to feel betrayed by my fellow parishioners but it is a long hill to climb. It is extremely sad that the congregation is now so divided. Church services have been held at Balderson since 1834. Balderson United, a beautiful, impressive blue limestone structure was dedicated in 1904. Many a fall supper has been enjoyed at that church. How many families have been baptised, married or had funerals conducted within that church? I can only pray it will remain a place of worship. Despite all who betrayed him, God still found it within his heart to help, forgive and rebuild relationships. Through scripture, we can find the strength to do the same. In Matthew 6 verse14 it states: For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. It can be extremely freeing to forgive as it lifts a burden from your shoulders. It no longer weights you down. In Mark 11 verse 25 it says: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Help yourself learn to let go, forgive and heal. 2 Timothy 2:15 states: “Do your best to win God’s approval as a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message.” So let us move on as one united and let us live in peace and harmony. Trust in your God, he will see you through.

Finally: “The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” – Barbara Hall
Rosetta

06/15/2023

06/07/2023

June 7, 2023

Good Morning Everyone

It certainly is eerie looking out the window. Our prayers go out to everyone for safety, health and rain.

Lots to say today. Let’s see what’s happening:

The doors at Balderson will be thrown open by Cornelia Closs and Rev Selby this Sunday for 9am. Come as you are!

Anyone interested in taking over the position of Caretaker for St. Andrew’s United Church upon the retirement of Norma Blair. You can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Brian Billings - Chair, Committee of Stewards (CoS), St. Andrew's United Church by June 15th, 2023. Brian's email address is [email protected]. CoS will contact applicants to set up meetings to discuss the position, references, and candidate fit for the position after June 15th. Our intent is to have an applicant selected and in-place to assume caretaker duties at St. Andrew's United Church as of July 1st, 2023. Please direct any questions to the undersigned. Many thanks.

Sincerely, Brian

Brian E. L. Billings, Chair - CoS

St. Andrew's United Church - Lanark, ON

Email: [email protected] Cell: (613)875-6211

And no dishes for the next three nights!

June 10 – 4:30 – 5:30 pm - Community Dinner at St. James Anglican, 54 Beckwith St. E. Perth. Menu is spaghetti with either a meat or vegetarian sauce and Caesar salad with assorted squares for dessert. This will be the last community dinner until September.

June 11 – 4 – 6 pm at the Watsons Corners Community Hall – Ham Dinner with scalloped potatoes, beans etc. Adults $16.00 and $8.00 for youth, under 5 is free.

Plan B is hosting a Community Dinner on Monday June 12th, 4-6pm. Did you know our free community dinners have a gluten free and vegetarian option? Come one, come all! Please join us at the Lanark Civitan to enjoy a free home cooked meal. A great way to meet your neighbours, share a laugh, and feel the warmth of community spirit

June 25th – 11:00 a.m., will be the last service at Balderson United Church. A light luncheon will follow. Come and join us in celebrating the wonderful history of our church. Please RSVP for lunch by calling or texting Laurie Gardiner at 613-267-3958 before June 18th.

Rev Bruce North’s Mississippi Freedom fest Gospel Concert Series begins July 3rd from 4-8pm.With Vocal Legacy. This is on Gordon Headrick’s farm. It will be held rain or shine. There will be food, children’s ministry and most important port a potties.

Elmwood Cemetery is having a Memorial Service on July 9th at 2pm. Bring a lawn chair.



Camp Awesome is a full-day faith-based day camp summer program, July 17-21 at Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls, that is active, engaging and fun for children. We combine vacation bible school teachings, including stories, songs and crafts, with interactive games and theme day fun. Healthy snacks provided!

Camp Awesome has a program for every age group: CA Camper – Ages 4 * – 12 CA Crew – Ages 12 – 13 Youth Leadership – 13+

Cost per child is $150 for the week at Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls, with a free (return) bus from Perth (pick up at St. Paul’s United, Perth at 8:15am, returning at 4:25pm). Financial assistance is available for families.

Children of any faith, or none, are welcome! Healthy snacks provided!

* Campers must be at least 4 years of age at time of camp and completed a year of school. (JK or equivalent)

Contact Trinity United Church: 613 283-4444



If all of that isn’t enough for you, June 10th is the 98th Anniversary of the Inauguration of The United Church of Canada, Indigenous Sunday is June 18th and June is the month of Pride.

This prayer was written for the Union of the United Church. Reading over I felt that the words can be applied to everyday, every cause, every person.

Our prayers need to be more than just words. Our prayers need to be actions.
A Christian named Teresa from a town called Avila said something like…

No hands, no feet on earth except yours.
Your senses are the senses through which he experiences the world with love.
Your path is the path with which he journeys to do good.
Your touch is the touch through which he blesses all the world.

Your body.
Your senses.
Your hands.
Your feet.
Your heart.

You are his body.

Christ has no body now on earth except yours.

So.
However we can learn, let’s learn.
However we can heal, let’s heal.
However we can be hope, let’s be hope.

LET’S GO, CHURCH!

© 2021 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada



I know that many people roll their eyes when they hear the word “Pride’. What is the need for a ‘special celebration’?

What if we were to think of it like this:

The United Church affirms that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and that all persons are made in the image of God. Pride is a positive stance against discrimination and violence. Pride is also a chance to promote self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and fundamental human rights, and to celebrate in a safe environment.

Keep in mind that being able to ‘fully be yourself’ was illegal, a punishable crime, yes even in Canada. In some countries many people continue to be killed for 'just wanting to live how they were created by God.

Imagine not being able to be or love the people that most take for granted. So instead of rolling eyes, let’s be proud that we can be a part of believing that love, security, dignity and equality is for everyone!

God,

Daily, may we dedicate ourselves to building bridges of love and hope where harmful divisions have been made, making equity and equality for all people our goal, while working continually for justice, so that Everyone can live fully in your love. (This portion was written by Alydia Smith)

We are thankful for the blessing of a Love that is and always has been there for us.

The truth at the heart of our faith – that you are Love - echoes today in words and in music, in friendships and family, in our hearts and minds, and continues to challenge us to Love.

We pray for our hearts and minds to be open to our own homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, to be open to our own racism, sexism, ableism, sizeism, and all the ways we fear those who are different from us.

We pray to learn how to recognize the kinship between our souls and the souls of those who, to us, are strangers.

We pray that we will never cease in our journey to learn how to Love more radically.
We pray in the name of the Love that flips tables and cracks whips, the Love that heals those judged by religious leaders and powers, the Love who lives and loves among the marginalized and outcast.

In Jesus name.

Amen. (This portion of Prayer by Jordan Sullivan, a trans man and a SOGIECE*/Conversion Therapy Survivor.)





Thanks for listening

Patti

05/31/2023

Message for May 31st, 2023

Thought for the Day: Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. Thich Nhat Hanh

Let’s see what’s happening:

Julie& Andy Dawson will greet you at St. Andrews United at 11:00 am this Sunday. We will then be led in service by Pastor Bruce North.

June 4th - NOTE: A short meeting for St. Andrew’s congregation will follow their service. This is to discuss and vote on accepting the amalgamation of the Balderson United Church congregation. Anyone attending the meeting will be given a vote.

June 4th - ALSO and this is a secret - There will be a light luncheon of sandwiches and cake after the meeting to honour and thank Norma Blair for her many years of service. Norma is retiring. (Please try and keep this quiet)

The Committee of Stewards participated in the Lanark Village Yard Sale Saturday May 27th. If you didn’t attend you missed some great bargains. I am “the best grandma” as the farm set, I got my wee ones was a hit.
June 10 – 4:30 – 5:30 pm - Community Dinner at St. James Anglican, 54 Beckwith St. E. Perth. Menu is spaghetti with either a meat or vegetarian sauce and Caesar salad with assorted squares for dessert. This will be the last community dinner until September.
June 11 – 4 – 6 pm at the Watsons Corners Community Hall – Ham Dinner with scalloped potatoes, beans etc. Adults $16.00 and $8.00 for youth, under 5 is free.
June 25th – 11:00 a.m. - The final Service at Balderson United Church will be held. A light luncheon will follow. Come and join us in celebrating the wonderful history of our church. If you wish to join us for lunch, please RSVP by calling or texting Laurie Gardiner at 613-267-3958 before June 18th.
July 2, 2023 – 4pm – 8pm - Mississippi Freedom Fest Gospel Concert series with Vocal Legacy playing. Admission is free. Held at 2400 Hwy 511, Lanark, Ont. Hamburgs & hotdogs sold on site. Bring a lawn chair
I attended church Sunday and heard a great message. They say change is inevitable but I don’t have to like it. However, here’s what doesn’t change: God is good. God loves us. He will take care of us. Even when we feel overwhelmed by all of life’s changes, God is constant. His love for us never changes. If you’re anxious about life’s changes, take some time to sit quietly and pick up your bible and read some of these passages. In Deuteronomy 31.6 it says to “be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Also, in Hebrews 6:19, it states “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Finally in Jeremiah 29:11, it states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” So, I guess we should not fear change. Sometimes change is good. I have a son who is building right next to me. This is a major change and changes the landscape of my home. I won’t be able to go traipsing out to my chicken pen in my ratty old housecoat anymore as I won’t want him to see that. However, I will have two grandbabies that I will probably now see every day - is that good or bad. One is so like his dad that I actually caught myself calling him by his dad’s name the other day. His sister thought it was hilarious I called her brother by daddy’s name. They are changing right before my eyes. Some days I can’t believe my kids have kids. By tomorrow we will have progressed to a new month. How can that be – when did May change to June. Changes they can be happy or sad – it’s up to you on how you see them.
Finally: A big part of being a well-adjusted person is accepting that you can’t be good at everything. (Kelly Williams Brown)
Rosetta

05/25/2023

Message for May 24th, 2023

Thought for the Day: Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential and fight for your dreams. (Ashley Smith)

Let’s see what’s happening:

Rosetta McInnes will greet you at Balderson United at 9:00 am this Sunday. We will then be led in service by Rev Selby.

Don’t miss the plant sale being hosted by The Prestonvale Community Association. It continues at the McFarlane lane-way, 1550 Prestonvale Rd. The sale will continue until all plants are sold. Proceeds will go to the upkeep of Prestonvale (Methodist) United Church. For information call Gail at 613-259-5410.

June 4th - NOTE: A short meeting for St. Andrew’s congregation will follow their service. This is to discuss and vote on accepting the amalgamation of the Balderson United Church congregation. Anyone attending the meeting will be given a vote.

June 4th - ALSO and this is a secret - There will be a light luncheon of sandwiches and cake after the meeting to honour and thank Norma Blair for her many years of service. Norma is retiring. (Please try and keep this quiet)

The Committee of Stewards will be participating in the Lanark Village Yard Sale Saturday May 27th . We will be selling some additional unused/excess items from the Church Hall at that time (electronics, toys, books, filing cabinets, and some furniture items). We will share with members of the Congregation a list prior to that date should anyone in the Congregation wish to make an offer on an item before the yard sale. Chair, Committee of Stewards
June 11 – 4 – 6 pm at the Watsons Corners Community Hall – Ham Dinner with scalloped potatoes, beans etc. Adults $16.00 and $8.00 for youth, under 5 is free.
EOORC Annual General Meeting is May 26 – 27, 2023 in Brockville, Friday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Registration at 8:15 a.m., dinner at 5:30 p.m.). Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Registration for Saturday-only attendees at 8:30 a.m.).

It has been an up and down kind of week and I am trying to stay positive. I should be grateful the sun shone at least part of the week. I should be thankful the book I wrote is selling well. However, I did learn the Balderson United church last service will be held the 25th of June 2023. That really brings me down. I tell myself to Let Go and Let God – he will look after me no matter what building I go to but it is not easy to do. Then I attended church last Sunday just to listen to Rev. Rob Selby’s message of “Change. It Don’t Come Easy.” I really needed to hear his message. I will definitely have to pay attention this Sunday as his message is titled “Everything Changed”. After church last Sunday I arrived home and got out of my vehicle and stood just smelling the lilacs, the apple blossoms and listening to the symphony of bees. It was a little piece of my heaven. If people know me, they will know I tour when I get stressed and yesterday, I took a tour out around Crow Lake. It was so very peaceful to drive along the water – yes, I commune with a higher power as I take these tours. Everyone should just get off the beaten path, step off the treadmill once in awhile and just relax and do something quiet, take a breath, life is not meant to be rushed through. Life should be enjoyed. I was talking to my almost 3-year-old granddaughter Monday after her weekend spent at the campground and asked if she had fun. She said yes, she went swimming and not only that but she was naked. She had a grin a mile long. We should all be like her, don’t worry about the cold lake just go swimming naked. Enjoy life, listen to the bees, smell the lilacs and sparkle like the apple blossoms. Enjoy your week
Finally: Heavy rains remind us of challenges in life. Never ask for a lighter rain. Just pray for a better umbrella. That is attitude.
Rosetta

05/17/2023

May 17, 2023

Good Morning

Beautiful day, sure is a nice change from the ‘hot’ weather we have been having!!!

Let’s see what’s happening:

Sylvia Montgomery will greet you at the Lanark at 11am on Sunday. We will then be led in service by Rev Selby.

This is the last day to register for the EOORC annual general meeting being held in Brockville on May 26th & 27th.

You don’t want to miss the plant sale being hosted this Saturday the 20th - The Prestonvale Community Association will hold their Annual Plant Sale beginning at 8am at the McFarlane lane-way, 1550 Prestonvale Rd. The sale will continue for a week or two or until all plants are sold. Proceeds will go to the upkeep of Prestonvale (Methodist) United Church. For information call Gail at 613-259-5410.

There will be a short meeting for St. Andrew’s congregation following their service on June 4th . This is to discuss and vote on accepting the amalgamation of the Balderson United Church congregation. Anyone attending the meeting will be given a vote.

The Committee of Stewards will be participating in the Lanark Village Yard Sale Saturday May 27th . We will be selling some additional unused/excess items from the Church Hall at that time (electronics, toys, books, filing cabinets, and some furniture items). We will share with members of the Congregation a list prior to that date should anyone in the Congregation wish to make an offer on an item before the yard sale. Chair, Committee of Stewards


Bulletin Oops: Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale, it’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husband.





This interesting article arrived today. We have all talked about, ‘where did the people in the pews go? People are just not going to church anymore.’ This is in the June 2023 Broadview magazine.

Written by: Julie McGonegal

The United Church’s numbers have dropped more than any other denomination

Canada’s largest Protestant denomination is shrinking the fastest. The latest cen­sus paints a grim picture of The United Church of Canada, which lost a whop­ping 40 percent of affiliates between 2011 and 2021, falling to 1.2 million people from roughly two million.

“Affiliates” are people who self­ describe in the census as having a United Church identity, but they may never go to church. In the same 10­-year time per­iod, the United Church tracked mem­bership dropping from about 480,000 to roughly 350,000 people, and church attendance declining from over 165,000 to under 120,000 people.

Rev. Michael Blair, the general secre­tary of the United Church, says he’s not surprised by the numbers. “All the insti­tutions of our age are experiencing the same decline,” he says. He also wonders if the revelations of unmarked graves at former church­-run residential schools in 2021 — the same year that the census data was collected — affected the responses. “People may have distanced themselves from the church,” he speculates.

United Church affiliates don’t only skew older — they also skew more white. Among Christian denomina­tions, the United Church has one of the lowest percentages of racialized affili­ates at only 2.5 percent. Compare that to six percent of Anglican or 45 percent of Pentecostal affiliates.
Blair says this is due, among other things, to the United Church’s lack of an international identity. “Newcomers and diasporic communities that come into the Canadian landscape don’t easily recognize the United Church.”
]He also says they encounter a style of worship here that they aren’t necessarily comfortable with.
Kevin Flatt, the author of After Evangelicalism: The Sixties and the United Church of Canada, says that the United Church is experiencing a “catastrophic decline” in membership, and the dwindling numbers are part of a broader trend stretching back decades.
Flatt agrees that unmarked graves could affect affiliation and that COVID-19 may have affected attendance — but acknowledges it’s “hard to say exactly what’s going on.” Overall, he believes United Church theology is the main cause of its decline. “The more liberal or progressive churches have a harder time answering the question ‘Why do we need to exist?’” Flatt says. When a plethora of community groups already organize around causes like climate
change and reconciliation, he notes, why would people bother going to church?

Under Blair’s leadership, the denomination is hoping to change course. With a pledge to create 100 new faith communities in the next three years, the national office will be rolling out the welcome mat to immigrant communities. “We’re at the point now where we recognize that our comfort level needs to change,” he says. “We have to decide, do we want to be an enclave? Or do we want to…reflect the Canadian reality?”

Some immigrant United Church congregations already exist. Ghana Calvary Methodist United Church in Toronto was established in 1996, for example. Its worship style is more charismatic than one would find in a typical United church, but minister Rev. Eric Nyarko says he appreciates the denomination’s theological openness.
Nyarko says he got a “yes-and-no answer” when he asked his board if the United Church was a good fit. There are differences that strain the relationship, he says. For example, same-sex relationships are illegal in Ghana. But, Nyarko adds, the leadership is “very happy that the UCC has not imposed something that is against their culture.”

Blair says that the national office recognizes the need to maintain the United Church ethos, but suggests it’s easier said than done. “Our commitment around LGBT inclusion is not something that sits easy with some of our migrant communities,” he admits.

What would the people in the pews look like if Blair’s plan to create new faith communities gets off the ground? It’s hard to say exactly, but certainly they would be more diverse, and not just racially, ethnically and culturally. And while the United Church will almost assuredly not return to its heyday of the 1960s, it could continue to exist — just in new ways.

There’s a “gift in the numbers that in some ways gets our heads out of the sand,” Blair says.

Julie McGonegal is a writer and editor in Guelph, Ont.

And just so we end on a laugh:
1. You can’t see your ears without a mirror.
2. You can’t count your hair.
3. You can’t breathe through your nose with your tongue out.
4. You just tried #3
6. When you did #3 you realized that it is possible, only you look like a dog.
7. You’re smiling right now because you were fooled.
8. You skipped #5.
9. You just checked to see #5!

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Thanks for listening
Patti